One in five of us feel lonely often or always, according to important research from British Red Cross, which describes loneliness as “an increasing but under-recognised crisis that is shortening lives and eroding the health and wellbeing of people across the UK.” Loneliness, and its threat to … [Read more...] about Katie’s blog: Loneliness, a threat to Scotland’s health
Su’s Blog: Community Renaissance – How to unblock the straw
I’m not one for a lot of words really, but, here I go… Today I’m on one of my soap boxes, and one which I feel I can never resolve. I have a sense that there is an underground movement, swelling, slowly but surely, to create a community renaissance. It’s being drawn up to the surface, like a … [Read more...] about Su’s Blog: Community Renaissance – How to unblock the straw
VHS Conference – Loneliness: A threat to Scotland’s Health
Third sector leaders will investigate ways to tackle loneliness and social isolation at our conference Loneliness: a threat to Scotland's Health. The one-day event, being held at Edinburgh’s Roxburghe Hotel, will bring together experts from charities, academia and the health and care sectors to … [Read more...] about VHS Conference – Loneliness: A threat to Scotland’s Health
Dinah’s blog: Learning difficulties and loneliness for children, young people and families
Loneliness can affect anyone, and this is also true for children and young people even when they spend much of their day in amongst their peers. The busy, noisy and lively environment of a school can be the very place where a child feels most alone. When parents and carers contact Mindroom for … [Read more...] about Dinah’s blog: Learning difficulties and loneliness for children, young people and families
Norman’s blog: keeping faith in older people with dementia
Sterling efforts are being made by Faith in Older People (FIOP) to involve churches throughout Scotland in providing help to people with dementia and those supporting them. There is still much to do but many churches are embracing the challenge and finding ways to bring comfort and meaning to those … [Read more...] about Norman’s blog: keeping faith in older people with dementia
Key Messages: Dundee Mental Health and Social Support Seminar
On the 2nd November in Dundee, VHS, the Open University and Support in Mind Scotland partnered together to present the first seminar in a programme of events on mental health and social support. The Dundee seminar was attended by 40 delegates drawn from national and local third sector organisations, … [Read more...] about Key Messages: Dundee Mental Health and Social Support Seminar
Kiren’s Blog: Social Prescribing = Social Connectedness
I recently attended a talk by Dr Ian Jackson on Mobilising Healthy Communities. He described the Bromley by Bow Health Partnership and the work they are doing around social prescribing to impact on the health inequalities suffered by the local population they service. There are 3 practices based … [Read more...] about Kiren’s Blog: Social Prescribing = Social Connectedness
Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities formally recognised
The Cross Party Group (CPG) on Health Inequalities was formally recognised by the Scottish Parliament’s Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee on 7th November 2016. The CPG now has its own webpage: CPG on Health Inequalities Formal registration followed the CPG's first meeting … [Read more...] about Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities formally recognised
Susan’s blog: the loneliness of terminal illness
Terminal illness can be an extremely lonely and isolating experience – it can be incredibly restrictive physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually, not just for people dying, but also their families and carers. There are a range of physical and mental health issues resulting from … [Read more...] about Susan’s blog: the loneliness of terminal illness
Hilda’s blog: building a kinder world
Loneliness and a lack of connection for people who want and need the companionship of others is one of the biggest challenges which face us today. Older adult day services closing or introducing new charges create whole new challenges for people who are growing older alone and who want more social … [Read more...] about Hilda’s blog: building a kinder world
